New year, new start, and our rural trips are back on track!
This spring, Stepping Stones is happy to offer two unique volunteering experiences in rural (and blossoming) areas of China. Two weeklong tours are arranged in May for volunteers to serve as English teachers to children of rural families in Henan and Zhejiang Province.
From 6 to 11 May, one group of volunteers will start a five-day trip to Dengfeng, Henan, where they will be teaching English lessons to primary school students. From 27 May to 1 June, Stepping Stones will lead another tour to Pujiang County in Zhejiang Province for volunteers to teach English at two rural primary schools. As well as teaching English, volunteers will also have the chance to participate in students’ arts and sports extracurricular activities. There will also be opportunities to explore the local area.
Through these tours, volunteers will provide support to rural public schools by improving the students’ English education. It is also an opportunity for volunteers to connect with the ‘left-behind’ children, to better understand their school communities and to experience local life. This is a practical way to share knowledge and love with a disadvantaged community.
The Dengfeng tour costs RMB 1,800 and the Pujiang tour costs RMB 1,500 per participant*
Both trips include:
- Round-trip train tickets from Shanghai to Zhengzhou or Yiwu
- Local transport via bus to and around Dengfeng or Pujiang
- Accommodation (in shared rooms)**
- Meals
- 24/7 staff support
- Preparatory training and workshop
- English teaching lesson plans
- Insurance
- Volunteering Certificate
*Please note this trip is subsidized, which has lowered the cost as compared with other rural tours.
**If you would like your own room there will be a small additional cost.
Trip Itinerary:
| Sunday | Afternoon – Individuals travel to Zhengzhou (Henan) or Yiwu (Zhejiang)Hired bus/van journey from to Dengfeng/Pujiang countyCheck into the hotelDinner at a restaurant |
| Monday | Morning – Teacher Training and lesson preparations at the hotel or school Lunch at a restaurant or the school Afternoon activity – 2 (40 min) English lessonsCrafting or outdoor activities with the students (weather dependent)Dinner at a local restaurant Evening – Free time and lesson preparations |
| Tuesday | Morning – 2 (40 min) English lessons Lunch at the school and free time with the students Afternoon – 2 (40 min) English lessonsDiscussion and question time with the principal and teachersDinner at a restaurant Evening – Free time and lesson preparations |
| Wednesday | Morning – 4 (40 min) English lessonsLunch at the school Afternoon – Sightseeing to local attractionsDinner at a restaurant Evening – Free time and lesson preparation |
| Thursday | Morning – 2 (40 min) English lessons Lunch at the school and free time with the students Afternoon – 2 (40 min) English lessonsCrafting or outdoor activities with the students (weather dependent)Local village tour with some students Dinner at a restaurant Evening – Free time and lesson preparation |
| Friday | Morning – Check out of the hotel2 (40 min)English lessons Lunch at the school Hired bus/van from Dengfeng/Pujiang to Zhengzhou/Yiwu |
Of course, the rural areas are famous for nature and we will not miss that. This time, examples of local sightseeing destinations include: Shaolin Temple or Longmen Grottoes in Dengfeng, Xianhua Mountain or the First Family of Southern China ancestral home in Pujiang. In short, it is also an eye-opening chance to connect to Chinese authenticity, from all angles.
This tour is designed for a volunteer group of 10-25 participants. If you would like further information about Stepping Stones’ rural tours, you can contact Morgan Banaszek, volunteer@steppingstoneschina.net.
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Please stay tuned, for more photos and updates of these two rural trips!